Dakota Vazquez has worked damned hard for the Barlows all her life. Raised on Snake River Ranch alongside the Barlow brothers, she knows the place better than anyone—and loves it just as much. She had plans and ideas as big as the Tetons to rebuild Snake River, even better and more profitable than it was before. The only thing standing in her way is the Bossman. The oldest of the Barlow brothers, the fate of Snake River Ranch falls on Walker's broad shoulders. Until now he's been so focused on making sure the ranch has a future that he's neglected to work on having one of his own. But that doesn't mean he's not sure what he wants. He's had smart-mouthed, whip-sharp Dakota on the back burner for years and it's finally time to make his move. She's pestering him with schemes and dreams about the ranch when all he wants is to get her in the sack. Snake River is his and he knows how to run it. If Dakota could learn to take orders on the ranch as well as she does in bed, she'd make the perfect rancher's wife. But Dakota is as headstrong as the horses she cares for, and she won't take to the bit as easily as Walker would like. Things heat up, both in and out of the bedroom, annoying and arousing them both until Dakota finally brings things to a halt. She's done she says, unless Walker can accept her as a partner as well as a wife. Walker can't agree though. He's worked too hard, brought Snake River too far, to trust Dakota to take the reins. A Barlow woman is as good as her word, and though Dakota doesn't have Walker's last name, she shares the same fiery spirit of his great-grandmother who helped carve the land into one of the greatest ranches in Wyoming. Neither willing to budge, Dakota leaves Walker and Snake River, finally calling his bluff. Walker is devastated, unsure whether to let her go or bring her back, kicking and screaming. One thing is certain; he never thought she'd leave the land she loves so much. Her absence echoes off the hills and plains, the creeks and bluffs. Snake River is not the same without Dakota Vazquez. And neither is Walker Barlow.